The defending champion Miami Heat and their MVP LeBron James will deservedly start the season as favourites to win the NBA title.
They’ve added some quality free agents to an already talented roster, and considering LeBron’s promise of “Not one, not two, not three, not four. . .”, a championship hangover shouldn’t be a concern either.
Three biggest questions for the Heat in 2012/13:
LeBron James had one of the greatest seasons in basketball. What does he do for an encore?
The regular season MVP. The Finals MVP. An NBA Championship. An Olympic Gold Medal.
That’s quite the year. The only other player to have accomplished that feat? Michael Jordan. That’s rarefied air, and demonstrates what LeBron was able to achieve in his dream season.
So what does the greatest basketballer on the planet do for an encore?
The scary notion for opponents is that LeBron may be even better this year. Now that he has the championship monkey off his back, the pressure will be relieved, and he may take his game to even greater levels. That’s a truly scary thought.
The way he moved into the low post in the Finals and completely dominated the game with his scoring and passing, didn’t just show maturity, it gave a glimpse of just how unstoppable he can be down low. And now that he has learnt that, what are defences going to do?
On the block, he’s too strong for small forwards, and too quick for power forwards. If you recognise that and double team him, he’s one of the best passers in the league, and will hit the open man.
Considering the Heat have added sharpshooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, who exactly do you double off anyway?
Perhaps a triple double average is what LeBron can do for an encore? No, seriously.
How do you rate the Heat’s off-season additions?
Since ‘The Big Three’ of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined forces two years ago, the perceived weaknesses of the Heat have been point guard and low post play.
Yet, in a sign of how great LeBron is, he may have single-handily solved those two issues. Once LeBron started posting up, he orchestrated the entire offence from down low. He either beat his man one-on-one for the basket, or found open teammates spotting up for three pointers, or cutting to the hoop. Playmaking and a low post option, all in one.
He made the Heat offence virtually unstoppable, as long as his teammates made shots, which they did in the NBA Finals.
As such, this off-season, Heat maestro Pat Riley decided that the Heat didn’t need to conduct their annual search for a low post threat. In fact, they went the other way, and signed even more shooters: Ray Allen just happens to hold the record for the most three pointers in NBA history, and Rashard Lewis is no slouch from behind the arc.
Together with the slashing of Wade, the mid-range shooting of Bosh, and existing perimeter threats Shane Battier, Mike Miller and Mario Chalmers, the new recruits will ensure that the Heat’s offence – already good enough to win a title – will be even more potent this season.
And it’s all due to the sublime skills of LeBron James.
Would anything less than another championship be a failure for the Heat?
Yes. And it’s not even unfair, or too much pressure.
That’s the expectation not just from around the league, but from the Heat themselves. They have the best player in the world, they are the defending champions, and they’ve gotten better with their off-season additions.
It’s championship or bust in South Beach this season.
Miami Heat Snapshot:
Last season:
Regular Season:
– 46 wins, 20 losses
– Finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference, and 1st in the Southwest Division
Playoffs:
– Won the NBA championship 4-1 over the Oklahoma City Thunder
Statistical leaders in 2011/12:
Points: LeBron James (27.1 ppg)
Rebounds: LeBron James (7.9 rpg)
Assists: LeBron James (6.2 apg)
Major additions:
Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis
Major losses:
N/A
Coach:
Erik Spoelstra
Career Record: 194 wins, 118 losses
Predicted finish in 2012/13:
Regular Season:
– 1st in the Eastern Conference
– 1st in Southwest Division
Playoffs:
– Lose in the NBA Finals
Images via Heat – NBA.com
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Dont ever forget game 4 was delivered by the other guys. Mario Chalmers isnt in the Big 3, and he delivered 25 points. Battier played 39 minutes. Cole scored a point a minute for 8 minutes. Jones collected four rebounds. Cole dropped two threes. http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2012/finals/index.html?ls=st&g=4&t=bs
Swampy
Guest
Great review Ryan. Lebron has no ceiling at this point. It's really scary that he has harnessed what we all saw - that once he ventures to the post he becomes unstoppable. Has Lebron ever had a serious injury - I remember he has sat out a few games here and there but that seemed more like sulking than actually being injured? What's he weigh? 270? He's the same weight as Karl Malone ffs. There is one thing Lebron hasn't achieved that I wish he would - win the slam dunk contest. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Nate dog
Guest
Lakers to win -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
ThelmaWrites
Guest
I agree, Ryan. Just wasn't sure of my opinion. It seems that the Heat will continue with their play-offs winning tactics. Get the opposition defense to concentrate heavily on James, Wade, and Bosc, thius freeing Chalmers and Miller to shoot their 3s. In this case, add Allen.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
All he has to do is stand in the corner and spread the floor, either my hitting threes (which he can do until he 90 years of age), or making the defense play him. I can't see it not working, to be honest.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
I don't know what to think about the addition of Ray Allen. Coach Spo visited the Philippines and, asked about Ray, he said: "About time, I'm tired of seeing him kill us from the other side." Either it will prove a master stroke, or it will be a dud. Will be interesting.
Skinnada
Roar Rookie
Putting it simply, Miami Heat will win championship if they are injury free come June. Bet against LeBron at your peril! The Western Conference will be more fun to watch come playoff time. I am looking forward to seeing who will win out in the Wild Wild West.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
LeBron wasn't sitting on the bench in a nice suit, that's all I'm saying. . .
Brett McKay
Expert
Well, technically he has, but yes....
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Even before that, they've been fortunate enough to steal Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem in trades, land Magic with the first pick of the draft, somehow get the number one draft pick and picking James Worthy, stealing Mychal Thompson from the Spurs, signing Shaq from Orlando, drafting Kobe as a teenager after trading away Divas for that pick, trading for Pau Gasol for next to nothing. Very well run, but lots of luck!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Yep they do and as a Celtics fan it makes my skin crawl ! There rebuilding mode generally doesn't last any longer than 2-3 years. You are spot on in regards to there fortune. They have always been a glamour Club and pretty much dominate the LA pro sports market. They have been absolutely blessed by the absence of an NFL team since the Raiders & Rams left town in 1995. Shaq & Kobe arrived in 1996 and they started to build another dynasty.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
WB, the Lakers always, and I mean always, land on their feet. Whilst they are very well run, they're also incredibly lucky, and always have been. As such, I wouldn't put anything past them, in regards to them landing LeBron.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
You'll have to wait and see what I predict for the Lakers, Josh! However, the Del Piero Express isn't the only bandwagon in town. . . What I would say is that the Heat took awhile to adjust because LeBron and Wade were basically the same type of wing player. Nash and Kobe, whilst both dominate the ball, are a little different, because Nash plays the point, and Kobe the wing.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Haha! Now that LeBron has a title, he's actually one better than Dan. Carter has to win a World Cup, mate!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Ryan, I read an interesting piece from ESPN this morning in relation to the Lakers retooling, Kobe has stated the last 2 years of his contract will likely be it. The Lakers are already eyeing off Lebron for the 2014 season when he can opt out of his Heat deal. Could you imagine LBJ, Howard and potentially Chris Paul ( free agent next season ) linking up together, just rididculous.
josh
Guest
Lose in finals? Hope you're not jumping on the Lakers bandwagon? I'd expect the Lakers (Nash and Bryant) to gel as well as Miami did the first year Wade and James played together. You can't have two ball carriers on the same team and expect it work first season in.
Brett McKay
Expert
LeDan...